Ocean Gate NJ to get Windmill

Image via Wikipedia

The tiny town of Ocean Gate, NJ (approx. 2,200 residents) is the site of the "... first small wind turbine project in New Jersey. ... started ... with one man ... Jim Fry vacationed in Ocean Gate ... and wanted to move here full time ... decided to build a "green" home ... After listening to Fry, the mayor and council warmed to the idea of energy from the wind and became the first town in the state to adopt an ordinance providing for the use of a small wind energy system. ... expects its wind turbines to be in operation by Labor Day weekend."

"...two 50-kilowatt turbines that will power the municipal office building and the water treatment plant took ... Ocean Gate will not have to buy some 224,000 kilowatts of electricity ... about 18 tons of carbon dioxide will not be released into the air...."


Via: APP.com LINK

Green Earth® Cleaning - Greener Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning has often been associated with perc - the common name for perchlorethylene - which can cause an odor on dry cleaned items and possible health concerns.

Looking to go GREEN manufacturers have developed alternate cleaning "solvents". One interesting product is made by GreenEarth Cleaning.

The " ... GreenEarth® cleaning process ... is better for the environment and your skin ... uses natural cleaning agents that don't harm the environment. ... Founded in 1999, ... is the world's largest solution provider for environment friendly dry cleaning."

" ... environmentally safe dry cleaning process that replaces petroleum-based solvents with liquid silicone, a gentle solution made from one of the earth's safest and most abundant natural resources: silica, or sand ... reduce emissions and control many of the risks associated with the use of petrochemical solvents."


Via: Green Earth Cleaning LINK

EcoDepot Degradable Plant Pots - "plant and pot" are both Planted !

Most nursery plants come in plastic pots or "six packs" that are made with #5 (PP) or #6 (PS) - neither of which are as readily recyclable as #1 or #2 plastics.

If you garden a lot and plant annuals yearly you either accumulate or throw out lots of hard to recycle pots. (look for a post on where to recycle these in SouthEeatern Pa). I am lucky to have found a place to take #5 and #6 but for most people these pots end up landfill. Not a very green way to garden !!

Some garden stores, including chains like Home Depot, are now offering plants that have eco friendly compostable or biodegradable containers.

EcoPots makes theirs of Coir. "EcoPotsTM are constructed of 100% Biodegradable Coir Fiber ... Benefits include ... Plant Directly in Ground ... Elimininates "Plastic Waste" ... Plants Utilize Natural Nutrients ... "


Via: ecodepotsales.com LINK

Happy Fourth of July from YourGreenQuest

Don't forget to be GREEN on the 4th .. recycle your cans and bottles from your party, picnic or fireworks celebrations!

One of the better blogs I regularly follow is Lifehacker. It is full of great time saving ideas, information and neat things to try ... as well as ways to reuse / re-purpose items. They also have some interesting screen savers ...

... check out this fireworks screen saver from Lifehacker and have a Happy, and GREEN, 4th of July!


Via: Lifehacker LINK

Natura Zero VOC Paint from Benjamin Moore

Ever since acrylic paints were introduced; paints paints have been getting better and better at providing long lasting protection. Now the drive is to continue to reduce both odor and VOC (volatile organic compounds).

Benjamin Moores Natura "... paint is a zero VOC formula ... features our Green Promise designation, ... "

" ... coatings industry is filled with third-party organizations like U.S. Green Building Council
(LEED), Master Painter's Institute (MPI), Greenguard, California's Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) and Green Seal that are trying to define what green means ... Some, ... focus on what is in the paint while others, ... are more focused on what is emitted from paint. ... the net result of so many competing standards is a confused and sometimes frustrated consumer."

" ... to make it easier for our customers ... to make sense of all these standards ... introducing our Green Promise designation... to designate coatings that offer both lower total volatile compounds and a premium level of paint performance. ..."


Via: Benjamin Moore Paints LINK

Pervious Concrete - Hardscaping that Allows for Water Absorbsion

Sometimes you need to provide a hardscaped surface that is not totally non-pervious -- as is typical cement and asphalt. For certain appliations like driveways or parkling areas ... perviose concrete is the answer.

Pervious pavement solve the need for a hardscape surface that can also allow water to soak in to the earth rather than flow into a storm sewer. Using a pervious hardscape can forgo the need for more costly solutions to handle water flow such as catch basins and ponds to allow for a more controlled flow and absorption.

" ... a unique and effective means to address important environmental issues and support green, sustainable growth.... porous concrete is instrumental in recharging groundwater, reducing stormwater runoff, and meeting U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stormwater regulations. ... pervious concrete is among the Best Management Practices (BMPs) recommended by the EPA ... for the management of stormwater runoff ..."

" ... Typically, between 15% and 25% voids are achieved ... flow rates ... typically around 480 in./hr (0.34 cm/s, which is 5 gal/ft²/ min or 200 L/m²/min),... "

Via: PerviousPavement LINK

ICYNENE® Environmentally Friendly Foam Insulation

Icynene is an environmentally friendly foam insulation ... Read on to lean more about is environmentally friendly characteristics ..

" ... open-celled, water blown, spray foam insulation and air barrier material that seals ... against air movement, including spaces around electrical outlets and light fixtures and where walls meet windows and doors."

" ... contains no environmentally harmful blowing agents like HFCs, HCFCs or HFAs. Organic chemical compounds from petroleum extract are the main source of its ingredients. ... testing by Saskatchewan Research Council has revealed that there were no VOC emissions after 30 days."

" ... is listed in the industry-recognized GreenSpec® Directory; a compendium of over 2,000 environmentally preferable products (http://www.buildinggreen.com/ ). ..."


Via: icynene.com LINK

Zwahlens - Audubon Pa Ice Cream Shop Get Solar Powered

Zwahlen's is a local (Audubon PA) ice cream and chocolate establishment that just so happens to have the first commercial use of SRS Energy's Sole Power Tile Roof.
I was driving past the store last evening when my son told me about the sign on the front that said --- something along the lines "the best ice cream under the sun is now powered by the sun". I needed to check this out ...
" SRS Energy, ...installed ... the first building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing product designed for curved roofing systems, ... the first commercial installation of the Sole Power Tile(TM) system ..."

"T...a great example of how time-tested traditions and cutting-edge technology can meet to create something beautiful," said Marty Low, CEO of SRS Energy and owner of Zwahlen's. "

" ... designed to blend seamlessly with several styles of US Tile's clay tiles, providing energy without the use of traditional solar panels that can compromise a building's roofline and curb appeal. ... preserves Zwahlen's charming Swiss chalet look."

"SRS Energy recently introduced the Sole Power Tile(TM) system to the greater Philadelphia region at the PV America show, held at the Pennsylvania Convention center during the week of June 7, 2009."
SRS Energy's Sole Power Tile can generate 500 Watts per sq ft.
Via: EarthTimes LINK
Via: SRS Energy LINK

GreenOps Tracking System - Recycling Program

" ...recycling program that combines the infrastructure of Waste Management, the GreenOps Tracking Symbol and Tracking Stations, on-line information at Greenopolis.com and Think Green Rewards. ... compliments curbside
recycling ..."

" ... starts with the GreenOps Tracking Symbol on product packaging and uses proprietary scanning technology at GreenOps Tracking Stations to recycle packaging and directly engage people through a registration process.

" ... receive a receipt indicating the number of items recycled and a deposit statement with a prize code redeemable for points at Greenopolis.com. ... provides a way for companies to engage their consumer through a direct message, on the Tracking Station or on the Tracking Station video screen. ... "

".. Tracking Stations are placed in high traffic, public areas that make them easy to identify and convenient to use. ... Target location include ... Supermarkets ... Museums, Galleries, Theaters ... Shopping Malls ..."



Via: GreenOps LINK

Fat Spaniel Technologies - Monitor and Track PV Solar Panels in Real Time

So you have decided to go green and install solar panels on the roof. How do you know that they are working - or specifically their efficiency and minute to minute generation. How do you anticipate problems before they happen? How do you really see what is happening with your PV solar system?

Do what Jay Leno (link to Jay Leno case study) did when he covered his garage with solar panels .. get Fat Spaniel!

" ... Fat Spaniel provides ... an industrial-grade, Software-as-a-Service renewable energy plant management system that enables plant operators to: ... Manage renewable energy plants in real-time ... Communicate and interact with mobile personnel ... Generate revenue utilizing back-end services for regulatory agency reporting, renewable energy certificate (REC) registration, and environmental reporting"

Fat Spaniel allows you to see, in real time ... "... total power generated by ... day, week, month, or year ... local irradiance, cell temperature, and ambient temperature ... avoided greenhouse gases (CO2, NOx and Sox) over the lifetime ..."



Via: Fat Spaniel Technologies LINK